§ 19. Mr. Liptonasked the Secretary of State for Employment to what extent he estimates that the growth of private employment agencies has reduced the number of vacancies notified by employers to public employment exchanges.
§ Mr. Dudley SmithSuch evidence as we have suggests that the number of vacancies notified to employment exchanges is not significantly affected by the operation of agencies except in regard to commercial and clerical vacancies, particularly in London.
§ Mr. LiptonIs the Minister aware of the ever-increasing extent, particularly in London and particularly with secretarial and clerical vacancies, to which private employment agencies are creaming off the vacancies from local employment exchanges, to the very great profit of the former, thus leaving Government employment exchanges with an ever-increasing proportion of unemployables and dropouts?
§ Mr. Dudley SmithThere is nothing to stop both employers and employees from coming to us to get staff or jobs and to get the assistance free. We are trying to develop this side of our commercial service and doing so successfully to some extent. When the resources are available, we hope to develop it further. I am aware that there is a problem, but I am not persuaded that legislation is the best way in which to deal with it.